FOR THE

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

OF THE

STATE OF WASHINGTON

EDITED BY THE

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Printed and for sale by

C. W. GORHAM,

PUBLIC PRINTER,

OLYMPIA, WN.

Price, Postpaid, 30c.

The Course of Study is the measuring rod, or rule, which is used to determine at what point in the years' work in the elementary course a pupil's work has arrived. It should not be used as the Procrustean bed on which to stretch the work of the school in order to secure uniformity.

FROM REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF TWELVE.

A. M C

UNIV. OF

VINNOJETVO

INTRODUCTION.

The chief object of this Manual is to unify and harmonize the school work of the state in accordance with the provisions of the state constitution, requiring "a general and uniform system of public schools," and the laws of the state.

For the first time in the history of this state we have a law permitting local selection of text-books. Heretofore we have had state uniformity. The preparation of a new Course of Study is necessitated by the new conditions. The problem is not an easy one. Under the old system the books were first selected and a Course of Study issued to fit the books adopted. The new law provides for: (1) An outline or general course to be adopted by the State Board of Education. (2) Selection of text-books by more than two hundred separate boards of adoption. (3) The publication of a Manual by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. In the nature of things, this Manual must be sufficiently broad to meet both the requirments of the State Board of Education and the various text-books adopted by the several boards.

It is hoped that the suggestions and instructions given in the Manual will prove helpful, but it is not intended nor desired that teachers shall slavishly follow them. The individuality of the teacher must be given ample opportunity for development. Few radical innovations will be found by any one familiar with the courses in other states. In the preparation of this Manual free use has been made of ma

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terial from other Courses of Study. This general acknowledgement will explain the omission of quotation marks in some parts of the Manual. It seemed to this department that it would be the height of folly not to make use of the experience of our sister states. A satisfactory Course of Study must be an evolution.

The Superintendent wishes to acknowledge specially the invaluable assistance given in the preparation of this Manual by President T. F. Kane, A. H. Yoder, H. C. Sampson, F. W. Eply, Miss Cora Bratton, B. W. Johnson, Miss Effie Berkman, J. H. Morgan, D. R. Augsburg, L. L. Benbow, O. C. Whitney, J. W. Shepherd, J. A. Tormey, T. A. Stiger, P. A. Williams; also, the authors of the Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Indiana courses.

R. B. BRYAN,

Superintendent of Public Instruction.

OLYMPIA, WASH., Sept. 1, 1905.